11/22: Donovan talks about Macklin’s knee, FAU

No. 14/16 Florida Gators head basketball coach Billy Donovan likes to talk – and we like to listen – which is why we have compiled some of the most important news, notes and quotes from his latest media availability in the following post.

MACKLIN’s KNEE REMAINS AN ISSUE

Though redshirt senior center Vernon Macklin is feeling “significant pain” in his right knee due to tendinitis, bone spurs and “a lot of grinding” behind his kneecap, he will not require surgery and will continue to practice and play with the Gators this season. However, Donovan did not put to rest a thought of sitting him for a stretch including perhaps some of Florida’s less intense upcoming games.

“It could be discussed,” he said on Monday. “It probably will be discussed. He’ll practice some today and play tomorrow and going forward from there we’ll make a decision of what we need to do. If we’re going to rest him, it won’t be for a couple days. That’s not going to cure the problem. It would help him a lot [to sit out for a week or longer].”

Macklin’s lack of “explosion,” as Donovan put it, explains why he has been showing up in the first half of games but is struggling to get things going after the first buzzer. His knee is warmed up before and during the start of the games but gets achy and more painful as things go on. Nevertheless, surgery is not an option for Macklin at this point if he wishes to continue playing this year.

“The biggest thing with surgery is: Do you get a drastic return when you perform surgery that he’s that much better?” Donovan said. “With what his issues are, there is no guarantee that if he did get surgery, there would be a whole lot of improvement there. Because of the tendinitis and the bone spurs the best thing for him would be rest.”

FLORIDA ATLANTIC WILL TEST FLORIDA’S PERIMETER

If facing new No. 3/3 Ohio State last week served as a wake-up call for Florida, nearly blowing a big lead against Morehead State on Sunday served as a splash of cold water on the face. With the Florida Atlantic Owls coming to town Tuesday, Donovan believes the Gators will be tested in a different way.

“[FAU’s] a team that’s deeper than [Morehead State] on the perimeter,” he said. “They’re going to play five guards. They’ve got speed and quickness. They’re going to play more conventionally up front, as opposed to [MSU] playing four guards. They will play with two post players. They’re a little more athletic with more size.”

QUOTES (After the break…)

Senior forward Chandler Parsons on Macklin’s being injured: “He’s a big part of our team. If he’s sitting out, he’s one of our seniors, he’s a leader. That would be tough. Thank God we have depth, we have some size in there. We have some guys who can fill in and play hard.”

Freshman point guard Scottie Wilbekin on he and freshman guard Casey Prather being late for shootaround on Sunday: “[I was] just running a little late. It won’t happen again.”